Aqua clean birdcage companion

ABSTRACT

The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion is a hydraulic waste and airborne contaminant containment system disposed beneath a birdcage, occupying a bird. The birdcage, having a grid floor retains and separates the bird from the system, while allowing the waste and airborne contaminants from the caged bird to gravitate to the system&#39;s constant medium being a hydraulic body of water contained in a tray beneath the birdcage. Our constant medium traps, contains and moves waste and airborne contaminants within it&#39;s water to a plurality of filters. The waste filled water passes through the filters. The filters remove t he waste materials. The now filtered water is returned by electric pump and discharged into the tray&#39;s constant medium creating the hydraulic body, which traps and contains new waste for removal. The filters continually renew the water in this closed hydraulic waste and airborne contaminant containment system.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0001] Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

[0002] Not applicable

BACKGROUND

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to bird cages and a process forcontinuous cleaning and removal of allergens

BACKGROUND

[0005] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0006] Today's birdcage is a wire cage enclosure with a grid on thebottom to contain the bird yet allows waste to pass through. A pullouttray underneath the grid is customarily lined with newspaper and isremoved and replaced as needed. No medium is provided which can contain,suspend and automatically remove the bird dander, feathers and airborneparticulate, which are known to cause serious and life threateningrespiratory problems.

[0007] Managing pet birds, commercially or residentially, can be ahealth hazard to humans and birds because of the airborne bacteria anddisease caused from bird dander and dried bird waste.

[0008] Numerous cages and cage cleaning systems have been provided inthe prior art, all provide some measure of cleaning but lack the abilityto m e allergens and continuously clean and contain waste with minimaleffort or maintenance.

[0009] Several types of flush systems have been proposed—for example inU.S. Pat. No. 4,181,612 to Trail (1980) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,771 toSchuett et al (1992) which suffer from a number of disadvantages:

[0010] (a) The waste can become dried between flush operations creatinga difficult cleaning task.

[0011] (b) Waste and seeds can fall on semi-dry areas and bounce out ofthe enclosure.

[0012] (c) The intermittent operation of the flush system may agitate orfrighten caged birds.

[0013] (d) The complicated systems have much apparatus to clean andmaintain.

[0014] (e) Only the specified cage can be used with the systems.

[0015] The following types of cage cleaning inventions, for example inU.S. Pat. No. 5,156,640 to Del Rosario (1992) and U.S. Pat. No.4,572,107 to Clarizo (1986) also suffer from a number of disadvantages:

[0016] (a) Waste becomes dried, bacteria become airborne and it isconfined in the enclosed cage making it hazardous to the caged bird.

[0017] (b) Only the specified cage can be used with the systems.

[0018] Accordingly the problem of airborne particulate and dried wastehas not been successfully addressed by prior invention.

Objects and Advantages

[0019] Several objects and advantages of the Aqua Clean BirdCageCompanion are:

[0020] (a) To provide a healthy environment for humans and birds bycontaining waste and allergens in a safe, manageable embodiment.

[0021] (b) To provide gradual removal of waste allowing it to be viewedfor a short time, which is necessary for the early detection of illnessin birds.

[0022] (c) To provide a soothing sound and relaxing environment forbirds and humans by the movement of water.

[0023] (d) To provide an easily adaptable system to accommodate thevariety of sizes and styles of cages used for residential, as well ascommercial use.

[0024] (e) To provide simplicity of bird keeping by the continuouscleaning of this invention.

[0025] (f) To provide ease of maintenance for the bird owner, by thecontinuous cleaning action and the basic operation of the system.

[0026] (g) The durable stainless steel components provide a non-poroussurface which prohibit bacterial growth

[0027] (h) The continuous movement of water provides welcome humidityfor birds.

[0028] (i) Ease of use is provided by the large liquid surface, whichcontinuously cleans waste and airborne particulate, and channels it intoa small unseen area to be emptied as needed.

[0029] (j) Fragrance may be added to the water to provide pleasantaromatherapy

[0030] Other advantages will become apparent from consideration of theensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

[0031] In accordance with the present invention the Aqua Clean Bird CageCompanion employs a shallow body of water with a gentle current whichflows across a stainless steel tray trapping and removing the waste andparticulate within the water. The waste is carried off the edge of thetray into a plurality of filters, which clean the water in this closedsystem. The circulating pump returns the filtered water back to the trayto collect new waste and airborne particulate.

DRAWINGS Drawing Figures

[0032] The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion may be more clearly understoodfrom the tailed description and by reference to the drawings in which:

[0033]FIG. 1. is a front elevational view of the complete Aqua CleanBirdCage Companion with a typical birdcage suspended above the same.

[0034]FIG. 2. is an exploded view of the Aqua Clean BirdCage Companionshowing the deflector cap, the plastic tubing, the tray, support slatsand the hopper as it relates to the bottom cabinet that houses thefiltration system and pump.

[0035]FIG. 3. is a perspective view of the multiple filtration systemand the circulating pump within the dual compartment acrylic unit; theacrylic unit is housed in the base member directly beneath the hopper.Reference Numerals in Drawings 11 water 12 tray 13 plastic tube 14 traynotch 15 t fitting 16 hopper 17 slats 18 base member 19 flexible tubing20 deflector cap 21 pullout shelf 22 hole for tubing 23 hole forelectric cord 24 bird cage 25 grid floor 26 mesh basket 27 funnel 28acrylic filtering unit   28A filtering compartment   28B filteringcompartment 29 pump 30 capped drain hole 31 foam mat 32 fiberglassblocks 33 carbon cartridge 34 electric cord 35 plastic tube holes 36deflector cap notch 37 angled surface of deflector cap 38 hopper notch39 plastic grid 40 fill line 41 end caps 42 reservoir of water 43 hingeddoor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Description-FIGS. 1-3 Preferred Embodiment

[0036] The drawings disclose the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. While the configurations according to the illustratedembodiments are preferred it is envisioned that alternate configurationsof the present invention maybe adopted without deviating from theinvention as portrayed.

[0037] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout the severalviews, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the Aqua Clean Bird Cage Companion thatconsists of a flat, three-sided tray 12, a hopper 16, a box like basemember 18 and a filter unit 28. FIG. 1 denotes similar elements, abovewhich is a birdcage 24.

[0038] The birdcage 24 has a grid floor 25 for passage of wastetherethrough. The tray 12 is below the cage 24 and when operationalcontains a shallow body of moving water 11 for the receiving of wastepassing through the grid floor 25 of the cage 24. The tray 12 has afloor and three raised sides. The fourth side is open which allows wastefilled water to exit the open edge of tray 12 and enter the hopper 16directly below.

[0039] On the opposing side of the open edge within the tray 12 lies aplastic tube 13 with caps 25 on both ends and a T fitting 15 in thecenter. The plastic tube 13 has a plurality of holes 35 in which water11 is pumped to create a current within the shallow body of water 11contained in the tray 12. Additionally, tray 12 has a notch 14 on theopposing side of the open edge to receive the T fitting 15 whichconnects the plastic tube 13 to the flexible tubing 19.

[0040] The deflector cap 20 is a detachable collar that rests on andcovers the top perimeter of the tray 12 with an angled surface 37 todeflect debris inward. Additionally, the cap 20 contains a notch 36 toreceive the T-fitting 15.

[0041] The hopper 16 is slightly larger in diameter than the tray 12 andsupports the tray 12 by use of slats 17 that span the opening andmaintain an opening for the water to exit the tray 12. The hopper 16 isbeneath the tray 12 and consists of four sides in which the supportslats 17 and the tray 12 sit within. Each side is bent to form a conicalsurface that slopes downward creating a funnel shaped opening. One sidecontains a notch 38 to receive the T-fitting 15. The waste filled water11 exits the hopper 16 and enters the funnel 27 which contains a meshbasket 26 for daily disposal of debris such as seed and hulls. Thefunnel 27 and basket 26 sit atop the acrylic filtering unit within thebase member 18. The base member 18 has a dual function, it supports thehopper 16 and secondly houses the funnel 27, the basket 26, the acrylicfiltering unit 28 and the circulating pump 29. It further contains ahinged door 43 on one side for easy access to a pullout shelf 21 onwhich the acrylic filtering unit 28 rests. The back of the base member18 has access holes for tubing 22 and electricity 23. Water 11 and finerparticulate flow into the acrylic unit 28. The water and finerparticulate first enter the two different filtering systems locatedwithin the first compartment of the acrylic unit 28A.

[0042] The first consists of a coarse foam mat 31 which catches andholds the finer particulate such as dander and granular waste and isremoved, rinsed and replaced as needed The second filter is a biologicalfilter, which consists of a plurality of fiberglass blocks 32 that reston a plastic grid 39, directly below the foam matt 31. The fiberglassblocks house a bacterial colony, which purify the water 11 on acontinuous basis.

[0043] The purified water 11 flows into the second compartment of theacrylic unit 28B that contains the carbon cartridge 33 and thecirculating pump 29 within the reservoir 42 of water 11. The finalfilter is a cartridge of carbon 33, which continues to purify the water11 and remove odors. The carbon cartridge 33 can be changed as often asnecessary. The pump 29 is connected to flexible tubing 19, which exitsthe base member 18 through a hole 22 and connects to the T-fitting 15 inthe tray 12. Additionally the acrylic unit 28 has a capped drain 30,which provides for easy draining of water 11 without disturbing orremoving the filtration unit 28.

Alternative Embodiments

[0044] While the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof.Many other variations are possible. For example;

[0045] A. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion can easily adapt to a largefloor model birdcage whereby the cage rests within the tray 12 onstainless steel supports. The grid floor 25 of the birdcage would remainwhile the seed tray; legs and casters of a typical floor model birdcagewould be eliminated. The size of the tray 12 would be increased, andshape of the base member 18 and hopper 16 would be modified. The basket26 and the funnel 27 are adapted to become a lift out screen within thehopper 16. The hopper 16 is positioned directly over the acrylic unit28, which would be increased in size, as well as determining the pump 29size required.

[0046] B. Another example would be a small version of the floor modelintended for tabletop use with small cages. Whereby the size of the tray12, hopper 16 and pump 29 are reduced and the acrylic-filtering unit 28is on a smaller scale.

[0047] C. Another embodiment would be a connected series of trays 12,hoppers 16 and baskets 26 in a horizontal fashion. This configurationwould provide for multiple cages to be located above the connectedseries of this system. This multiple configuration could be constructedfor commercial use to provide easy maintenance and creates excellenthealth conditions when housing many birds. The acrylic filtering unitand pump size would be increased to handle the larger volume of water.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not only bythe embodiment illustrated, but also by the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents.

Advantages

[0048] From the description above, a number of advantages of my AquaClean BirdCage Companion become evident:

[0049] (a) To provide a healthy environment for humans and birds bycontaining waste and allergens in a safe, manageable embodiment.

[0050] (b) To provide gradual removal of waste allowing it to be viewedfor a short time, which is necessary for the early detection of illnessin birds.

[0051] (c) To provide a soothing sound and relaxing environment forbirds and humans by the movement of water.

[0052] (d) To provide an easily adaptable system to accommodate thevariety of sizes and styles of cages used for residential, as well ascommercial use.

[0053] (e) To provide simplicity of bird keeping by the continuouscleaning of this invention.

[0054] (f) To provide ease of maintenance for the bird owner, by thecontinuous cleaning action and the basic operation of the system.

[0055] (g) The durable stainless steel components have rounded edges forsafety of both birds and humans.

[0056] (h) The durable stainless steel components provide a non-poroussurface which prohibit bacterial growth

[0057] (i) The continuous movement of water provides welcome humidityfor birds.

[0058] (j) Ease of use is provided by the large liquid surface, whichcontinuously cleans waste and airborne particulate, and channels it intoa small unseen area to be emptied as needed.

[0059] (k) Fragrance may be added to the water to provide pleasantaromatherapy.

Operation—FIGS. 1, 2, 3

[0060] The manner of using the Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion is toposition a birdcage 24, which has a grid 25 for passage of waste, overthe stainless steel tray 12. To begin operation the acrylic-filteringunit 28 is filled with water 11 to the fill line 24 and the circulatingpump 29 is activated using household electricity. An immediately cleanand healthy environment is created with the soothing and relaxing soundof moving water 11. The stainless steel deflector cap 20 rests on andcovers the top perimeter of the tray 12 and the plastic tube 13. Thedeflector cap 20 has an angled surface 37 to deflect debris inward,protects the tube 13 from damage and prevents waste from getting on orbehind the tube 13. The tube 13 is connected to the T-fitting 15 in thecenter, which exits the tray 12 and is connected to the flexible tubing19. The tubing 19 is beneath the tray 12, enters the base member 18, andconnects to the pump 29 housed within the base member 18. Theoperational Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion employs a shallow body ofwater 11 that continuously flows across the tray 12. The water 11 ispumped through a plurality of holes 35 in the plastic tube 13. Themoving water 11 traps, contains and gradually removes waste and airborneparticulate from view. The waste filled water 11 flows off the open edgeof the tray 12 and enters the stainless steel hopper 16. The hopper 16is supported by the base member 18 which houses the funnel 27, the meshbasket 26, the acrylic filtering unit 28 and the pump 29. The conicalshaped hopper 16 channels the water 11 into the funnel 27, whichcontains a mesh basket 26 for daily disposal of debris such as seed andhulls. The water 11 and finer particulate continue through the funnel 27into the dual compartment acrylic filtering unit 28,28A, 28B whichhouses the water 11, the reservoir 42 and three different filteringsystems.

[0061] The compartment 28A contains the first and second filters. Thefirst filter comprises a coarse foam mat 31 which catches and holds thefiner particulate such as dander and granular waste, yet allows water 11to flow into the second filter directly below. The biological filterrests on the plastic grid 39 and comprises a plurality of fiberglassblocks 32, that house a bacterial colony which purify the water 11 on acontinuous basis. The compartment 28B contains the final filter 33, thecirculating pump 29 and the reservoir of water 42. Compartment 28Breceives the water 11 through an opening in the bottom of the acrylicdivider from Compartment 28A. The filter is a carbon cartridge 33, whichremoves odors and purifies the water 11 as it is collected in thereservoir 42 in compartment 28B. The pump 29 is connected to theflexible tubing 19, which exits the base member 18 and connects to theT-fitting 15 within the tray 12. Filtered water is returned back to thetray 12 to trap and collect waste, whereby the water is continuouslyrenewed as a constant medium by the filter unit. This completes thecirculating closed water system.

[0062] Accordingly, the reader will see the ease of use provided by theAqua Clean BirdCage Companion. To maintain maximum efficiency of thisinvention the following steps are taken daily:

[0063] 1. Turn off the circulating pump 29.

[0064] 2. Remove the mesh basket 26 and empty collected waste.

[0065] 3. Replace the basket 26.

[0066] 4. Check the fill line 24 and add the required amount of water11.

[0067] 5. Turn on the pump 29.

[0068] To maintain maximum efficiency of this invention the followingsteps are taken weekly or as needed:

[0069] 1. Turn off the circulating pump 29.

[0070] 2. Lift out the coarse foam mat 31, rinse and replace.

[0071] 3. Lift out the carbon cartridge 33, rinse and replace.

[0072] 4. Turn on the pump 29.

[0073] Additionally for relocation or draining of the system, theacrylic unit 28 has a capped bottom drain 30, which provides for easydraining of the water 11 without disturbing or removing the unit 28.While certain novel features of this invention have been shown, it willbe understood that various changes of the system illustrated and in itsoperation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spit of the invention.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0074] Accordingly, the reader will see that the continuous cleaning ofthe Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion provides a healthy and cleanenvironment for humans and birds by containing harmful allergens andbacteria found in bird waste, feathers and dander. In addition to thehealthy and clean environment, the hydraulic system provides humidityand or fragrance along with the soothing sound of moving water.

[0075] This system with it basic design provides for ease ofmaintenance, ease of use and ease of cleaning in addition to providingautomatic and continuous cleaning during the normal operation. Thepreferred material of the exposed components in this system, beingstainless steel provide a durable non-porous surface which prohibitsbacterial growth and is easily cleaned. The design of these componentshave rolled edges to provide a safe and long lasting surface. The systemis easily adaptable to accommodate the variety of sizes and styles ofcages and can be connected in series to accommodate multiple cages.Lastly, the system can be easily adapted to accommodate cages thatcontain a bottom grid designed for reptiles and other animals which mayrequire humidity in their environment. Accordingly the scope of theinvention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated but bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hydraulic waste and airborne contaminantcontainment system comprising a tray having a constant medium being ahydraulic body of water for receiving waste and airborne particulatedisposed directly beneath a birdcage occupying a bird. Said bird cagehaving a grid floor to retain and separate said bird from said system,while allowing waste and airborne contaminants from said bird togravitate to said system's hydraulic body. Said hydraulic body iscreated by pump means, discharging recirculated water into said body ofwater contained in said tray. Said constant medium of the hydraulic bodytraps, holds, and moves the waste and airborne contaminates, within saidwater to a plurality of filters. Said filters are so adapted that thewaste filled water can be passed therethrough while elements of thewaste material are filtered therefrom The filtered water, by pump means,returns and discharges into the tray's body of water, to contain newwaste therein for removal, whereby the water is continually renewed as aconstant medium. This closed hydraulic waste and airborne contaminantcontainment system is hereby known as the Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion.2. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: asquare tray, with a flat bottom with three raised sides, the fourth sidebeing an open edge to allow water to move off tray. The preferredembodiment is stainless steel, but may be constructed of variousmaterials.
 3. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 furthercomprising: a deflector cap which is a detachable collar that rest onand covers the top perimeter of the tray with an angled surface todeflect debris inward. The preferred embodiment is stainless steel, butmay be constructed of various materials.
 4. The Aqua Clean BirdCageCompanion of claim 1 further comprising: a hopper which provides aconical surface which forms a funnel shaped opening at the bottom, whichsupports the tray and channels the waste filled water into the filters.The preferred embodiment is stainless steel, but may be constructed ofvarious materials.
 5. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1further comprising: a mesh basket of stainless steel which may beconstructed of other various materials
 6. The Aqua Clean BirdCageCompanion of claim 1 further comprising: a foam matt filter of a nylonmesh block, the coarseness of the mesh determines the filteringcapabilities but other filter materials may be substituted
 7. The AquaClean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: the biologicalfilter, which is a plurality of fiberglass, blocks which house abacterial colony, but other biological filters may be substituted. 8.The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: thecarbon filter, which is, made of carbon particles thus any carbon orchemical filter may be substituted which purify and remove odors fromthe water.
 9. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 furthercomprising: a base member which houses and supports the system, and canbe comprised of any material suitable for each application.
 10. The AquaClean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: flexible tubingwhich provides for the circulation of water from reservoir to tray, saidtubing could be made of plastic, copper, or any suitable materials forthis purpose.
 11. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 furthercomprising: a hard plastic tube comprised of poly-vinyl-chloride whichdischarges water through a plurality of evenly spaced holes in the tube,which is housed in one side of the tray under the deflector cap, anyappropriate plumbing pipe or tubing may be substituted
 12. The AquaClean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: an electric pumpwhich circulates the water by pump means within the system.
 13. The AquaClean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: fragrance beingadded to the water to create aromatherapy.
 14. The Aqua Clean BirdCageCompanion of claim 1 further comprising: the large hydraulic surface ofwater creates humidity during the continues operation of the system. 15.The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1 further comprising: anincrease or decrease in the size of the total operating system, the baseunit, hopper, tray and pump size to be determined by the size of thecage which is positioned above the system.
 16. The Aqua Clean BirdCageCompanion of claim 1 further comprising: a series of trays, hoppers andbaskets placed in a horizontal configuration which could provided formultiple cages to be located above the connected series of this system;the filtering unit and pump size would be increases to accommodate thelarge volume of water.
 17. The Aqua Clean BirdCage Companion of claim 1further comprising: a waste containment system housed beneath a cagewhich can be adapted and used with reptiles and other animals thatrequire humidity in their environment.